Guitar Case keys

**Woody Sound** · 10-31-2016, 04:02 PM

Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop

This thread reminds me of my first trip to Russia. Before departing the states I invested in a grand worth of shirts, ties, and packed them in brand new luggage, which came complete with luggage locks. They were cute. So of course, I used them on all 5 pieces of luggage.

As it turned out, my departing flight was delayed, only 5 hours....hey, what's an hour or two matter. This in turn meant my connecting flight from Moscow to Kiev was missed by the time I arrived in Moscow. Not a problem. Ex KGB agents were gracious enough to put 30 of us up in Moscow's top flight airport hotel overnight...no charge, thanks to Aeroflot. You weren't allowed to leave the 5th floor, where all of us were, but who cares about being held hostage, it's a free room!

18 hours and a complimentary breakfast later, it was off to Kiev, a day later than planned, but now just a few short hours away.

Arriving Borispol airport Kiev, I see my luggage for the first time since departing the states some 36 hours earlier. Wait a minute...that can't be my luggage...my luggage is wearing those fancy dancy freebie locks. Okay, not any more.

I'd later learn that this is commonplace for luggage from the West to have locks removed...and okay, don't be surprised if your luggage is a little lighter. In my case, my luggage was only $1k short of brand new shirts and ties. But hey, boy was I happy they left my handy steamer....which came in real handy when I had to go shirt shopping in Kiev...but the now missing new DC convertor I'd purchased because I was well prepared and thought I'd thought of everything...not so much.

But those little keys sure are cute!

This sounds exactly like the kind of anecdotal stories that Raymond Reddington (The Blacklist) likes to tell, just before blowing a hole in someone's chest.

**ThatRhythmMan** · 10-31-2016, 06:10 PM

Originally Posted by Woody Sound

I once took a guitar case for which I wanted a key to a luggage store and the guy pulled out a box full of keys, and found a couple that fit in a few seconds.

But it was a Mark Leaf case that I was selling, so I kinda needed to get one before selling it.

I took a 1970ish Gibson case that needed a latch and handle repair to a local shop that does luggage repair. I didn't even think about the fact that it didn't have a key because I've never used the lock on a case. They were nice enough to find a matching key for me while it was in for the repairs and throw it in.

**sgosnell** · 10-31-2016, 06:34 PM

I strongly disagree, another reason would be to prevent the cleaning maid in the hotel from playing one's 10'000$ guitar while being downstairs enjoying breakfast.

I guess I've never thought about this because I don't have a $10,000 guitar. If I did, I doubt I'd have it in a hotel. But yeah, I guess locking the case there would be helpful.

**sgosnell** · 12-01-2016, 11:47 AM

I found a case key. I purchased a used Benedetto, which came with one key for the case. The key also fits the Eastman case. I'm hoping one is enough, and it will be unless I lose it. I see several on ebay, though, so I can replace it if necessary.

**Jabberwocky** · 12-01-2016, 12:24 PM

Originally Posted by sgosnell

I found a case key. I purchased a used Benedetto, which came with one key for the case. The key also fits the Eastman case. I'm hoping one is enough, and it will be unless I lose it. I see several on ebay, though, so I can replace it if necessary.

I'd buy another two or three as spares seeing that you actually use the lock. You could go to a locksmith and have it duplicated. It is really bothersome not to have a spare when you lose or break a key with the guitar locked within the case.

Me? I followed me own advice and got two Pac Safe retractable steel cable locks. Now I can just chain it to some immovable object, go the little boy's room and take a nice long wizz.

**sgosnell** · 12-01-2016, 12:41 PM

My only concern is keeping the lid shut during transport. Having the case open accidentally and the guitar fall onto concrete is not the start of a good day. And that happens sometimes. That's why I always carry the case with the lid next to my leg, so that there is a chance of keeping the fall from happening. Not a certainty, but a chance. But locking the latch makes the accident even less likely to happen. Being cavalier about carrying guitars is not a good thing, IMO.

**MaxTwang** · 12-01-2016, 12:52 PM

How about a velcro strap around the case - feed it through the handle, or around the waist, to keep it in place?

I've always used the case against the leg method too.

What irks me about Gibson is their 'historically correct' case for the '59 ES-175 (and Les Paul) that only has 1 reliable latch. Keeping the guitar safe is a higher priority to me than having 'historically accurate' latches on a guitar made in 2015.